Stacey and Barbara's Living Fund

Hi everyone. My name is Stacey and I need your help. The main picture I uploaded is me (on the left) and my sister Barbara (on the right). In May, Barb will turn 60 years old. It is doubtful she will make it to 61. Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with lung cancer in January and it has already spread to other parts of her body, including her brain. After a grueling 4 months of doctor visits, lab work and imaging scans, she is now ready to get treatment. She starts chemotherapy on 4/19/22 but we're not even sure if she will be able to tolerate the treament. She is in so much pain that either she is awake and crying or medicated and sleeping. She only weights 85 pounds and is now starting to show symptoms of brain deterioration. In order to treat the cancer in her brain, she will need radiation therapy. She doesn't meet with the radiation oncologist to discuss that treatment until May 5th.

Barbara hasn't been feeling well for close to 2 years. Prior to cancer diagnosis, she had constant oral pain from infected teeth. She also got a really bad case of thrush Thrush is a yeast infection in your mouth. The yeast has now spread throughout her body. Due to physical limitations, she has been unable to work. I was working until Covid hit. Thankfully, unemployment took care of the bills for quite a while. Now my unemployment has run out. I was getting ready to start a new job when the cancer was diagnosed. This is where we need your help. I have decided to take care of my sister instead of seeking employment. I know this is my choice and it shouldn't fall onto others to pay our bills but we don't know what else to do. I have been completing the documentation requesting disability for Barbara but that is a slow process. In the meantime, we are living off of food stamps and credit cards. That will not continue much longer because I don't have the money to make the credit card payments.

There is no happy ending here. All we are hoping for is to not have to struggle financially while Barb is enduring this living hell. I urge everyone...if you feel your health has changed, even a little, please see a doctor. We believe the cancer may have shown up a much as 2-3 years ago. Barb started to feel fatigued and the heat during the summer really sapped her energy. Take care of your health because it could be gone in an instant.

To anyone reading this...thank you for taking the time!! If you feel moved to help, we are extremely grateful! Please know this money will not be squandered!! It will be used to pay for rent and bills. I also hope we can help her son get here to spend some time with his mom.

Peace, health and happiness to you all!

Thank you,

Stacey and Barbara